This is the Winter 2018 course discussion blog for and by UCLA students enrolled in LGBTQ Studies 183: Queer Arts in LA.
This course includes a creative component. When this course was first offered during the Fall 2012 quarter, the students researched queer artists who have a significant connection to Los Angeles. Then created a collaborative website.

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Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Week #4 Post

In the third section of Gay LA the historical topic of the
introduction of AIDs in the mainstream medical world came about, showing the
plight to find a cure and the effects it had on the queer community. I recently
watched a film How to Survive a Plague that
also documented the epidemic from a LGBTQ community perspective and what struck
me in both the film and this book was the unification effect that AIDs had on
the community. With politicians trying to place blame and the slow proceedings
of the FDA to approve drugs to help slow effects of AIDs it was the queer
community that unified and placed pressure on both the government and FDA. Even
when AZT was released there were many that could not take it due to side
effects or could not afford the lofty price tag that went along with it.

The
protests and confrontations made by the community to push for more action along
with the considerable amounts of fundraising were the major reasons, if not the
most prominent, that progress was made. Organizations like ACT UP truly did
make a difference, which I believe speaks volumes about the power of activism
not only historically but as well for the implications it can have for this day
and age. There is a significant amount of power in the unification of the
people to garner the attention and progression from politicians and the
government to incite real change.

The final
chapter of the book really focused on the triumphs and positive headway made
for the queer community both socially and legislatively. Faderman especially
focuses on the vast improvements made in LA, which tends to be more progressive.
Being from northern California, I can see a distinct difference in acceptance
and inclusion of the LGBTQ community between there and here in Los Angeles.
Despite being in the same state there are still very closed-minded pocket
communities throughout, with few places comparing to the progressive nature of
LA. Which raises the question, how long until other places follow in suit to
LA’s lead?